Washer for articles or the like



g- 14, 1951 J. J. PALOTSEE' WASHER FOR ARTICLES OR THE LIKE 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Aug. 4, 1947 z' ql.

g- 14, 1951 J. J. PALOTSEE WASHER FOR ARTICLES OR THE LIKE 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Aug. 4, 1947 .I LHH Hh l l ll'l IHPHHHH "I I I I J. J. PAL OTSEE v WASHER FOR ARTICLES OR THE LIKE Aug. 14,1951

4 She et's-Sheet 3 Filed Aug. 4

Aug. 14, 1951 J. J. PALOTSEE WASHER FOR ARTICLES OR THE LIKE Filed Aug. 4, 1947 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 we .PLOJQL Patented Aug. 14, 1951 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 22 Claims.

This invention is a novel power-driven cleaning or washing machine adapted to be used for cleaning greasy automobile and other machine parts but which may also be used for washing kitchen utensils, dishes, clothing or other greasy or dirty article or fabrics; and the principal object thereof is to provide a machine of the above type embodying certain novel features of construction hereinafter set forth. The present invention is an improvement upon that disclosed in my co-pending application, Serial No. 735,- 185, filed March 17, 1947, now matured into U. S. Letters Patent No. 2,437,968, dated March 16, 1948.

I will explain the invention with reference to the accompanying drawings which illustrate one practical embodiment thereof, to enable others to adopt and use the same; and will summarize in the claims the novel features of construction, and novel combinations of parts, for which protection is desired.

In said drawings:

Figure 1 is a vertical section through my novel cleaning and washing machine.

Fig. 2 is a horizontal section through the upper portion of the casing of the machine shown in Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is an end view of the machine.

Fig. 4 is a bottom plan view of the basket detached.

Fig. 5 is a top plan view of one section of the burner used in my machine.

Fig. 6 is an end elevation of the burner section shown in 5.

Fig. 7 is an enlarged detail section through one of the rollers which support the rotary basket. Fig. 8 is an enlarged detail perspective view. Fig. 9 is an enlarged detail section.

Fig. 1D is a vertical section through the easing with basket removed, and showing a plug applied to the tube when it is desired to drain the lower portion of the casing for sludge removal.

Fig. 11 is an elevation showing the plug and handle.

Fig. 12 is a top plan view of the parts shown in Fig. 10.

As shown, my novel cleaner comprises a casing 5, preferably substantially circular in plan and open at the top, the same being adapted to hold cleaning fluid, and having a removable cover 2. Casing I is closed at the bottom by a bottom plate 3 (Fig. 1) and is supported on rear wheels 4, carried by axle 5, the front end being supported on wheels 6 carried by axle I mounted in a swivel casting 8 to which a tongue 9 is secured, the casing 8 being vertically pivoted on a bracket IIl projecting from the front end of easing I, as shown in Fig. 1, whereby the machine may be readily moved from place to place.

Within the casing I above and spaced from the bottom 3 is a plate II, and in the side of the casing I above the bottom 3 is an outlet valve I2 for the purpose hereinafter set forth. Within the casing I above and spaced from the plate I I is a plate I3, a tube I4 (Fig. 1) registering with circular axial openings in the plates I3 and I I and being secured thereto so as to permit passage of fluid within casing I above the plate I3 down through the tube I4 and into the space between the plate II and bottom 3, said tube I 4 excluding fluid from the chamber between the plates I3 and II exteriorly of said tube. As shown in Figs. 2 and 3, the casing I is provided with an outwardly offset portion I p at one side between the bottom 3 and plate II, said portion being a flat rectangular outer end, a series of studs being welded to the outer end around the outer rectangular opening Ir to receive nuts which clamp a removable cover plate 6| thereto, a gasket being interposed between plate 60 and the end of portion I p to render the cover 6| water-tight. When cover BI is removed access may be had to the space within casing I between bottom 3 and plate II. Within the said space below the tube I4 is a drawer 62 havin a hand pull 63 disposed opposite the opening Ir, said drawer being of less width and height than opening Ir so that same may be withdrawn therethrough, said drawer 52 being positioned on bottom 3 by guides 54 at opposite sides thereof, and having holes in its ends adjacent the bottom to permit fluid to drain therefrom while retaining therein most of the sediment and greasy particles deposited therein upon falling through the tube I4. The provision of drawer 62 greatly facilitates cleaning from the casing I the bulk of sediment and reasy particles which might otherwise clog the outlet valve I2.

In the side of casing I above and adjacent plate II are openings I5 of relatively large area adapted. to permit air to pass into the chamber between the plates I3 and II to support combustion. Within the chamber between plates I3 and I I and disposed around the tube I4 is a gas or other burner formed in section shown more particularly in Figs. 5 and 6, each section being semi-circular in shape and consisting of a semicircular pipe I6 closed at its ends and having a, series of vertically disposed jet orifices Ita therein. Above the semi-circular pipe I6 is a semicircular pipe lfib of smaller diameter supported on the pipe l6 by means of brackets lc or the like, said pipe lfib having a series of jet orifices lGd extending horizontally therefrom in line with the jets lea. The gas inlet to the pipe sections l6 and lBb is a conduit Hie (Figs. 5 and 6) having branches communicating with both semi-circular pipes l6 and ifib. Two such burner sections are secured upon the top of plate ll around the tube l4 so as to form an annular gas burner. lhe gas pipe or conduit Hie may be connected f gas supply through suitto a suitable source 0 able valve means (not shown) so that when the lfia and [6d may be valve is opened, the jets simultaneously ignited to supply heat below the plate [3, for the purpose hereinafter described.

At the rear end of the casing l is a vertically disposed pipe i? which serves the double purpose of forming a journal for a crane, hereinafter described, and also serving as a stack through which the products of combustion from the chamber formed between the plates l3 and l i may escape. Pipe I! is securely clamped to the exterior of the casing l by means of a strap i9 disposed at substantially half the height of easing i, a bottom clamp 20 at the lower end of the casing, and an upper clamp 2i disposed at the top of the casing I, clamp 26 closing the lower end of the pipe ll as well as serving as a support thereof. Pipe l! is non-rotatably secured by said brackets and clamps to the casing i, and pipe i'i extends approximately twice the height of casing I, as shown in Fig. 1. In the pipe I? and extending through an opening in the end of easing l is an outlet port Ila: (Figs. 1 and 3) for the products of combustion, the same being disposed immediately below the plate l3 whereby the products of combustion generated by the burner between the plates l3 and H, supported by the air entering the open ports 15, may pass in the d;rection of the arrow (Fig. 1) through the port Ho: into the pipe i! and upwardly by natural draft, same escaping through the open top of pipe 51, as shown in Fig. 1.

At the front end of easing I, immediately above the bracket [0, is a hollow protuberance 22 of substantial height disposed slightly above the center of the casing l, the protuberance having its sides fairing into the sides of the casing l, as clearly shown in Fig. 2, the outer end of the protuberance being rounded as shown. The top and bottom of the faces of the protuberance, however, are preferably horizontally disposed as shown in Fig. l.

Extending through the front end of the protuberance 22 is a bearing sleeve 23, journaled in a lug 24 on the outer face of the protuberance and supported by a bracket 25 within the protuberance, said bearing sleeve housing a shaft 26. carrying on its inner end an impeller 21. Preferably the shaft 26 is disposed at an angle to the axis of the casing l, as shown in Fig. 2, so that when the impeller 27 is rotated the cleaning fluid will be circulated in a direction toward one side of the casing l, as indicated by the arrows in Fig. 2. On the outer end of shaft 26, exterior of the protuberence is a sprocket wheel or belt pulley disposed in the plane of a sprocket wheel or t pulley 23, carried by the shaft 38a of a motor 30 or the like, which motor is secured upon the 9p of the protuberance 22, a chain or belt 3| runmg around the sprocket wheels or pulleys 23 and ereby the motor will rotate the impeller 21'. which p l r is disposed entirely within the p otuberance 22, the wall of the casing l in the way of the protuberance 22 being cut away or removed, as at ls: (Figs. 1 and 2).

Upon the top of the plate l3 of casing l are four rollers 33, disposed on a common pitch circle. said rollers 33 being shown more clearly in Fig. 7. the same being journaled on pins 34 extending between the legs 30a of a U-shaped bracket 35, the base of which is secured upon the plate l3. Since four such rollers are utilized, alternate rollers are disposed 90 degrees from adjacent rollers, said rollers rotatably supporting a removable basket 48 as shown in Fig. 4.

The basket 49 is of circular shape, and substantially fills the space between the plate I3 of the casing and the cover 2 thereof, the diameter of the basket 50 being slightly smaller than that of the casing l. The basket 40 preferably comprises a hub plate 40a, having radial strips 301) extendtherefrom, certain of said strips 49b extendmg upwardly along the outer sides of the basket and being connected at their upper ends by a circular ring it e, shown more particularly in Figs. 1 and 8, a similar ring @011: also being provided at the bottom of the basket Ml. The bottom and sides of the basket 42 are covered by wire mesh 63d, whereby the basket will be pervious to the cleaning fluid. On the bottom of the basket 40 is an axially disposed ring 48c adapted to rest upon the four rollers 33, hereinbefore referred to, so that the basket will be properly supported with in the casing when placed theren and will be rotatable on the rollers 33. Means are provided for controllng the speed of rotation of the basket, same comprising a toothed wheel 59 (Figs. 1 and 9) mounted on a shaft 51 journaled in a stuffing box 2:? and extending through the front end of the casing 1 below the bottom of protuberance 22, shaftbi having its outer end entering a speed reducing gear box 53 provided with a drive sprocket 54 below the shaft of motor 30, which shaft carries a sprocket 55. A chain 56 runs around the sprockets and 54, and by reason of the speed reducing gearing 53, the shaft 5| is permitted to rotate at a much slower speed than the shaft of impeller 21. Wheel 59 is disposed within the bottom ring 4911: of basket 46 closely ad acent thereto, and a second ring lily (Fig. 9) is secured upon the bottom of basket 40 within the ring 68:11 as shown in Fig. 9. A series of pins 5? are mounted between the rings 56a: and Mg and support rollers 58 directly engaging the toothed wheel 59. By the above arrangement the speed of rotation of the basket 40 may be held down to one or more revolutions per minute notwithstanding the speed of circulation of the cleaning fluid in the casing caused by the action of impeller 2'5. The basket 49 may be caused to rotate in the same or opposite direction from that of the cleaning fluid, the same preferably rotating in the same direction but at a much slower speed.

Basket 49 is open at the top and is adapted to receive the metallic or fabric or other parts which are to be washed. In order to lift the basket, when loaded, into or out of the casing i, a crane is provided swivelled on the pipe IT, the same comprising a sleeve [8 adapted to fit over the top of the pipe 5'. and to rest at its lower end upon the bracket 7:! (Fig. l), the sleeve 48 being freely rotatable onpipe ll.

At the upper end of the sleeve is an arm [Ba (Fig. 1), carrying at its outer end a pair of pulleys 18b and at its inner end a pair of pulleys 181:. At the lower end of sleeve 18 are parallel hor zontally disposed bracket arms I80, preferably connected at their outer ends at I8d (Fig. 2). Journaled in the arms I 80 is a shaft I8e upon which is fixedly mounted a pair of drums I8 separated by a gear IBg, said gear meshing with a gear I8h on a parallel shaft I8k carrying a 5 handcrank IBm. A releasable pawl (not shown) is provided to maintain the gear I8g in desired position. A cable 4| has its ends secured to and wrapped around the drums I81 respectively, the

cable being looped and passing upwardly at each H side of the sleeve I8 and passing over the pair of pulleys I890 and IE1), as shown in Figs. 1 and 3, and carrying at its center a sheaf 42 normally disposed directly over the center of the basket 46 within the casing I. Sheaf 42 carries a hook, I

engaging the eye in a basket-lifting frame, consisting of a hub 43 and four spokes 44 of length to fit within the top of the basket 40, the outer upper ends of the spokes 44 being notched as at Within the basket 40 are four spoke-engaging members, which are secured at the upper ends thereof preferably to side frames 40b and upper ring 490 of the basket as shown in Fig. 8,

the members consisting of L-shaped members 45, 2.

secured by welding or the like to the inner sides of the frames 48b, the upper ends of the member 45 being boxed in by means of oppositely facing L-shaped members 46, secured thereto with their vertical legs spaced from and parallel with the vertical legs of the L-shaped members 45. By the above construction, the lifting member 43-44 may be lowered by cable 4I into the basket when the cover 2 is removed, and the lifting member rotated so that the notched ends 44a 35 will engage the undersides of the boxing members of the members 45. whereu on when the handcrank Him is rotated in a lifting direction, the basket may be readily removed with its contents therein from the casing I. I8 may be rotated on pipe I! so as to clear the casing I, whereupon the basket 40 may be lowered to the fioor or other surface.

As shown in Figs. 10, 11 and 12, the upper end of tube It is threaded as at I43: to receive a threaded plug I0 carried at the lower end of a rod II having a handle '12 at its upper end which is disposed at approximately the top of casing I, plug I!) being readily applied and removed by rotation of handle 12, and being normally re- (.c

moved from the casing except when it is desired to clean out the sludge and sediment from the lower portion of casing I, between bottom 3 and plate I I, without withdrawing all the cleaning fluid from the casing I. on

When the plug II! is applied as shown in Figs. 10 and 12, basket being removed, the fluid above plate 53 will be prevented from passin downwardly through tube I4 into the space between plate II and bottom 3. (Fig. 1) is opened, the fluid in the lower portion may be withdrawn from the space between bottom 3 and plate II, the fluid also draining through the holes in drawer 62. Thus most of the sludge and sediment will be left in the iii? drawer 62 for removal therewith after plate 6! is removed and the drawer 62 withdrawn.

In operation, the casing I is substantially filled with cleaning fluid, while the articles to be cleaned are placed in the wire basket 40, which is It then placed in the casing I, utilizing the crane I8. When motor 30 is activated, the impeller 21 will cause the fluid within the casing I above plate I 3 to rotate with a swift swirling motion through the basket 49 and material therein which is ro- Thereafter the sleeve When valve I2 4w 6 tated very slowly so that the force of the fluid will dislodge sediment and grease from the articles in basket 40, the particles of sludge and sediment passing downwardly and inwardly due to centripetal action of the fluid towards tube I4 from which they drop into drawer 62, thus keeping the cleaning fluid above the plate I3 relatively free from sediment. When the burner I6 is ignited, the fluid within the casing I above plate I3 will be heated, but the products of combustion will pass through the outlet port I 1x and up through the pipe I1. The fluid in the lower compartment between the plate II and bottom 3 remains relatively motionless and the fluid may be drawn off through the valve I2 after plug I0 has been applied as shown in Fig. 10, while the collected sediment for the most part may be removed with the drawer 62 when plate BI is removed. Instead of utilizing a gas burner I6, electric or other heating means may be substituted. As the wire basket 40 rests only upon the rollers 33 when placed in casing I, the basket may be readily entered into or withdrawn from the casing without adjustments of other parts.

I do not limit my invention to the exact form shown in the drawings, for obviously changes may be made therein within the scope of the claims.

I claim:

1. In a cleaning or washing machine, a casing for fluid open at its top and having a bottom; a removable cover for said top; a plate within the ca 1g disposed above the bottom and having a relatively large central opening therein; a second plate within the casing disposed above the first plate and having a relatively large central open ing therein; a fluid-tight tube connecting said plates and registering with said openings; means for withdrawing fluid from the space between the first and bottom plates; heating means around the tube in the space between the first and secend plates; a rotatable open basket within the casing above the second plate; a hollow lateral protuberance on the side of the casing above the second plate communicating with the interior of the casing; an impeller journaled within the protuberance adjacent one side thereof adapted to set up a swirling motion of the fluid in the easing above the second plate a motor; and means actuated by the motor for rotating the impeller.

2. In a machine as set forth in claim 1; an annular series of grooved rollers journaled upon the second plate; and an axially disposed ring on the bottom of the basket seating upon said rollers.

3. In a machine as set forth in claim 1, means for closing the tube to permit the fiuid to be withdrawn from the space between the first and bottom plates while retaining the fluid in the casing above the second plate.

4. In a machine as set forth in claim 1, said casing having air intake openings in its side between the first and second plates, and having an outlet port for the products of combustion of said heating means.

5. In a machine as set forth in claim 4, a vertical pipe mounted on the casing and extending above the upper end thereof and havin an open upper end, said outlet port communicating with the interior of the pipe, whereby the pipe will serve as a stack for the products of combustion; and basket lifting means mounted on the pipe.

6. In a cleaning or washing machine, a cylindrical casing for fluid open at its topand having a bottom; a removable cover for said top; a plate within the casing disposed above the bottom and having a relatively large central opening therein; a second plate within the casing disposed above the first plate and having a relatively large central opening therein; a tube connected with said plates and registering with said openings; means for withdrawing fluid from the space between the first and bottom plates; heating means around the tube in the space between the first and second plates; a rotatable open cylindrical basket within the casing above the second plate; a hollow lateral protuberance on the side of the casing above the second plate communicating with the interior of the casing; an impeller journaled within the protuberance adjacent one side thereof adapted to set up a swirling motion of the fluid in the casing above the second plate; a motor; means actuated by the motor for rotating the impeller; and means actuated by the motor for rotating the basket.

7. In a machine as set forth in claim 6; an annular series of grooved rollers journaled upon the second plate; and an axially disposed ring on the bottom of the basket seating upon said rollers.

8. In a machine as set forth in claim '7, said basket rotating means comprising a toothed drive wheel journaled in the casing and disposed below, within and adjacent the periphery of the basket; an annular series of teeth on the underside of the basket engaging the drive wheel; a shaft carrying the drive wheel; and speed reducing gearing connected with the said shaft and driven by said motor.

9. In a machine as set forth inclaim 8, said basket having concentric rings extending from its lower end straddling the drive wheel; and an annular series of rollers journaled between the rings and forming said teeth on the basket.

10. In a machine as set forth in claim 6, said casing having air intake opening in its side between the first and second plates, and having an outlet port for the products of combustion of said heating means.

11. In a machine as set forth in claim 10, a vertical pipe mounted on the casing and extending above the upper end thereof and having an open upper end, said outlet port communicating with the interior of the pipe, whereby the pipe will serve as a stack for the products of combustion; and basket lifting means mounted on the pipe.

12. In a machine as set forth in claim 6, means for closing the tube to permit the fluid to be withdrawn from the space between the first and bottom plates while retaining the fluid in the casing above the second plate.

13. In a cleaning or washing machine, a cylindrical casing for fluid open at its top and having a bottom; a removable cover for said top; a plate within the casin disposed above the bottom and having a relatively large central opening therein; a second plate within the casing disposed above the first plate and having a relatively large central openin therein; a tube connected with said plates and registering with said openings; a removable drawer in the space between the bottom and first plate below the tube; heating means around the tube in the space between the first and second plates; a rotatable open cylindrical basket within the casing above the second plate; a hollow lateral protuberance on the side of the casing above the second plate communicating with the interior of the casing; an impeller journaled within the protuberance adjacent one side thereof adapted to set up a swirling motion of the fluid in the casing above the second plate; a motor; means actuated by the motor for rotat- 8 ing the impeller; and means actuated by the motor for rotating the basket.

14. In a machine as set forth in claim 13; an annular series of grooved rollers joumaled on the second plate; and an axially disposed ring on the bottom of the basket seating upon said rollers.

15. In a machine as set forth in claim 13, means for closing the tube to permit the fluid to be withdrawn from the space between the first and bottom plates while retaining the fluid in the casing above the second plate.

16. In a machine as set forth in claim 13, said basket rotating means comprising a toothed drive wheel journaled in the casing and disposed below, within, and adjacent the periphery of the basket; an annular series of teeth on the underside of the basket engaging the drive wheel; a shaft carrying the drive wheel; and speed reducin gearing connected with the said shaft and driven b said motor.

17. In a machine as set forth in claim 13, said casing having an outwardly offset portion in its side between the bottom and first plate, said offset having an open outer end; a cover plate re'aiovably connected across said open end; said ver being disposed on the bottom opposite off et portion and having a hand pull at its eby when the cover plate is removed the drawer may be removed from the casing through the offset portion; said drawer having drainage holes in its walls adjacent their lower ends.

18. In a cleaning or washing machine, a cylindrical casing for fluid open at its top and havin a bottom; a removable cover for said top; plate within the casing disposed above the bottom and having a relatively large central opening therein; a second plate within the casing disposed above the first plate and having a relatively large central opening therein; a tube connected with said plates and registering with said openings; a removable drawer in the space between the bottom and first plate below the tube; heating means around the tube in the space between the first and second plates; a rotatable open cylindrical basket within the easin above the second plate; a hollow lateral protuberance on the side of the casing above the second plate communicating with the interior of the casing; an impeller journaled within the protuberance adjacent one side thereof adapted to set up a swirling motion of the fluid in the casing above the second plate; a motor; means actuated by the motor for rotating the basket; 2. vertical pipe on the casing having an open upper end, and communicating with the space between the first and second plates to serve as a stack for said products of combustion; said pipe extending above the upper end of the easing; and a basket lifting crane swiveled on said pipe.

19. In a machine as set forth in claim 18, said crane comprising a sleeve rotatably receiving the upper end of the pipe and disposed above the upper end of the casing; an arm on said sleeve; pulleys at the outer and inner ends of the arm respectively; a bracket on said sleeve; a drum journaled on said bracket; means for rotating said drum; a cable having one end secured to said drum and having its central portion passing upwardly and outwardly over said pulleys; said cable having a sheave overlying the basket; and a basket lifting member carried by said sheave.

20. In a machine as set forth in claim 19, said basket having boxed-in lugs on its inner sides provided with lateral openings; and said lifting member comprisin a hub having radial arms adapted to be engaged through said lateral openings with said lugs when the lifting memher is lowered into the basket and slightly rotated. Y

21. A cleaning or washing machine comprising in combination, a verticall disposed cylindrical fluid-receiving casing having an open top; a basket rotatably mounted in said casing and adapted to support articles to be cleaned or washed; means to direct flow of fluid received in said easing into said basket; a sediment trap at the bottom of said casing, heatin means at the bottom of said casing to heat the said fluid; a vertical pipe mounted on the casing and extending above the upper end thereof and having an open upper end, said pipe having an openingin its lower end portion to receive products of combustion from said heatin means whereby said pipe will serve as a stack for carrying off said products of combustion; and basket lifting means mounted on the upper end portion of said pipe.

22. A cleaning or washing machine comprising in combination a vertically disposed cylin drical fluid-receiving casing having an open top, a basket rotatably mounted on said casing, and

adapted to support articles to be cleaned or washed, fluid moving means to direct a flow of the fluid received in said casing into said basket,

means to rotate said basket, a vertical mast mounted on the casin and extending above the upper end thereof, a boom swivably mounted REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1, 34,498 Seymour July 24, 1917 1,378,925 White May 24, 1921 1,869,510 Saunders Aug. 2, 1982 2,139,096 Piquerez Dec. 6, 1938 2,201,790 Rouch May 21, 1940 

